Ampstand

ABSTRACT

The Ampstand is a compact device that allows a guitar amp to be leaned back, toward and past its center of gravity. The amplifier rests in this position. The resulting angle of the amplifier allows the loudspeaker to face the performer in a more direct position. Two wedged shaped feet are positioned behind the amplifier, each one positioned just inside the corners of the bottom edge. The amplifier is slightly lifted and placed into each wedge. A nylon rope extends along the plane of the floor from each wedge, and connects to the base of a dowel rod. The dowel is then angled back toward the handle of the amplifier, where a Velcro fastener at the top of the dowel is wrapped around the amplifier handle. The result is a very stable amplifier-tilting device, which is lightweight and compact.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

“Not Applicable”

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

“Not Applicable”

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

“Not Applicable”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention.

This invention relates to a support stand for a guitar amplifier, which will allow the cabinet to be tilted toward the performer at a desirable angle.

2. Description of Prior Art

Various metal brackets and supports have been suggested to support loudspeakers and guitar amplifiers. However, these devices are large, heavy, and require excessive storage space when being transported to a musical performance. Many performers lean the loudspeaker cabinet against a wall, post, or other object, in order to make the cabinet tilt back. Another option for tilting the cabinet is to stack objects (maybe books) under the front of the cabinet. This creates a problem, since the cabinet may be tilted toward and then beyond it's center of balance, causing the cabinet to fall on it's back. Therefore, musicians have needed an inexpensive and lightweight bracket to tilt a loudspeaker.

It is an object of the present invention to surpass the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a functional support that is easy to use, light weight, and very compact. Further objects of the invention will be revealed in the accompanying detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly summarized, the present invention provides a support that allows a loudspeaker cabined to be tilted back, so that a musician can hear the loudspeaker more accurately during a performance. The Ampstand support begins with a vertical aluminum tube with a clip at the top end, which attaches the aluminum tube to the handle of the cabinet.

The aluminum tube is directed behind the cabinet at about a 45-degree angle, and rests on the floor. At the base of the tube, there is a horizontal hole, which allows a small rope to pass through. The rope is made secure with two knots, which are at each outer surface of the lower hole in the tube. One side of the rope is directed away from the base of the tube, to a wedge shaped foot, which also has a horizontal hole through which the rope passes, with a knot at each end of the rope. Respectively, the rope at the other side of the tube base is directed toward another wedge shaped foot, and is anchored with the same convention as the first wedge foot.

The bottom edge of the loudspeaker cabinet rests on each of the wedged feet, as the rope makes a triangular shape in relation to the bottom edge of the loudspeaker cabinet. The combination of the tube, rope, and wedge feet provides approximately a 45-degree tilt, which allows the cabinet to rest against the tube with its own weight. This resting place is beyond the cabinet's center of balance, so that the cabinet does not return to the upright position. The length of the tube and rope are engineered to provide the 45-degree tilt for most any conventional amplifier with one or two 12-inch speakers. No further adjustments are provided nor needed, since the 45-degree angle is adequate for the stated purpose. The Ampstand is an easy tool to use, and allows the musician to quickly tilt a loudspeaker cabinet for a performance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

Further details of the invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention with a loudspeaker held in place thereon. FIG. 2 shows the side view of the clip for the amplifier handle. FIG. 3 shows detail of the bottom of the aluminum tube, and one side of the rope that leads to a wedge shaped foot. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show details of the wedge shaped foot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally indicated at 12 in FIG. 1 as it supports the amplifier 13.

The Ampstand 12 is shown in FIG. 1, comprised of a clip 22, an aluminum tube 15, a rope 16 made of typical nylon, and two wedge shaped feet 17 and 18 made of durable plastic. To setup the invention, the back edge of amplifier 13 is placed on the two wedge shaped feet 17 and 18 in FIG. 1. The aluminum tube 15 is moved away from the amplifier 13 which extends the rope 16 an equal distance from each of the wedge shaped feet, to meet the apex of the bottom of dowel 15 in FIG. 1. The rope 16 passes through the dowel 15 at hole 19, and is secured by knot 50, shown in FIG. 3. The dowel 15 is then angled up toward the amp handle 21 where the clip 22 is placed. The tube has approximately a 30-degree angle near the clip, to allow clearance away from the upper back edge of the amplifier.

FIG. 5 shows detail of the rope passing through the wedge shaped foot, with knots 31 and 32 tied at both ends. One of the wedge shaped feet 18 is shown in FIG. 4 as the rope passes through hole 30 (knot not shown).

The rope continues from wedge 18 in FIG. 1 to knot 50 and the rope passes through hole 19 with another knot on the other side of dowel 15. One knot 50 is shown in FIG. 3. The same rope and knot convention is used from the bottom of dowel 15 to wedge foot 17 in FIG. 1. Therefore, the rope 16 extends from the wedge shaped feet 17 and 18 in FIG. 1 to the bottom of dowel 15 with a knot 50 on each side of dowel 15. The bottom of dowel 15 has a plastic curved cap 40 in FIG. 3.

Oath or Declaration

-   (see form PTO/SB/01)     Sequence Listing -   “Not Applicable” 

1. The Ampstand comprising: A. a two-surfaced Velcro fastener which wraps around the amplifier handle. B. a dowel rod made of wood or other durable material. C. use of a conventional nylon rope and knots therein. D. wedge shaped feet made of durable plastic, with a hole through the length of each base for the rope.
 2. The Ampstand of claim 1 wherein the dowel rod has a hole near the top, and another near the bottom, both with a 90-degree orientation to each other.
 3. The Ampstand of claim 1 wherein the Velcro fastener is adjustable to fit most any amplifier handle shape.
 4. The Ampstand provides that an amplifier can be tilted back, toward and beyond its center of gravity, and rest at that position in a static state.
 5. The Ampstand uses a dowel rod to support a small amount of the amplifier's weight.
 6. The wedge shaped feet of the Ampstand hold the amplifier in place at its base.
 7. The rope of the Ampstand holds the dowel in place. 